Orthopedic dog beds

Amazing though it may seem, one of the top selling orthopedic products the world over is the dog bed, or at least the orthopedic version of it.

I find it quite amazing that so many pet owners are prepared to buy an orthopedic dog or cat bed, but do not see the relevancy of doing the same for themselves and their families.

This becomes all the more pertinent when you consider that the spine of a dog or cat is retained in the most natural of horizontal postures during nearly all aspects of the animals life.

With humans this is of course not the case. Our spines are held vertically and operate in what appears to be an unnatural and badly orchestrated mechanical way.

Even so, orthopedic pet beds are big business and, although comparatively expensive compared with their human equivalents, do offer some benefits to the pampered pets.

What to look for in a pet bed
Pretty well all of the guides that you would apply to a good human bed or mattress apply to a good dog or cat bed.

Contouring and support are paramount and materials like memory foam are ideal.

In the wild, animals see or make bedding areas that are spongy and compressible. A manmade bed should replicate this and visco elastic memory foam pets beds are probably the best.

Removable, washable and ideally waterproof covers will extend the life of the bed's mattress and they will also allow the removal of odours, dirt and accidents.

Here is a site, http://www.buddybeds.com/ with some dog beds and more information for those who have pets and are interested in the providing them the best possible sleeping surface.

Orthopedic and ergonomic pens

In addition to the more obvious orthopedic products that aid, assist, or relieve some symptom or problem, there are some “task easing” products that you can buy.

One example of these is an orthopedic and ergonomic pen.

These pens (or biros) come with an extra thick (and usually padded) barrel that allow them to be held without having to contort the fingers too much.

These pens have a diameter, just above the nib, that may be 3, 4 or 5 times the thickness of a regular pen and they often taper out towards the writing point to prevent the fingers from slipping down the pen.

This thickened bolster area is usually made from a “soft to the touch” material that requires a minimum of pressure to grip it, and the pens are usually light, but also well balanced.

Most pens have an easy push mechanism to retract the pen nib when not in use.

These pens can help anyone with arthritis, tendonitis or RSI and they are often available from high street stationers, book stores and other specialised outlets.

You can see some examples of these easy to hold and use pens at the following url - http://www.twenga.co.uk/offer/5805/2410169220951738428.html.

Cervical neck pillow

A cervical neck pillow is a special pillow that is contoured to correctly support the head and neck during sleep or rest.

These pillows are rather strange in appearance as they tend to have a “T” shape. They also allow for two different sleeping postures. Namely, back sleeping and side sleeping and this contributes to their unusual profile.

The shape of these pillows often incorporates a projecting wedge like support for the neck and a central arced cradle area for the head. This design is ideal for those who sleep on their backs.

Some orthopedic neck pillow designs will include a separate area of the pillow (usually to one side) for people who sleep on their sides, or who change positions during the night. This again contributes to a strange appearance, but one that is based on function.

You can see an example of this type of pillow on http://www.necksolutions.com/cervical-neck-pillow.html.

The reasons for using these types of pillow are obvious. Sleep and comfort in the bed are enhanced and the neck and spine are retained in the most natural and healthy of alignments.

The cradle shape of these pillows also prevents the head from rocking or rolling and the alignment of the spine from the neck to the base of the back is kept straight.

The alternative to this type of pre-shaped pillow is a memory foam pillow where the weight and warmth of the head and neck should, ideally, create this cradle effect for anyone using one.

Shoulder supports

With most of the products that I write about I have had some first hand experience of their use, however in this case I have not – although I nearly did.

My reason for covering shoulder supports is simple. I dislocated my right shoulder a few years ago and had a significant amount of muscle deterioration over the three and a half weeks that I was in a flexible brace.

Treatment for dislocated shoulders seems to vary greatly. Some doctors go for the immobilisation option (like mine) whilst others think that this approach is counterproductive and weakens the muscles to too great a degree during recovery.

All I can say is that I required over 4 months of physio to get my shoulder movement back and that it was a long and very slow process (though not really painful). On the positive side, I have had no problems since.

Shoulder braces “may” offer either, a protective option if the shoulder is not immobilised and restricted use is encouraged immediately after the accident. Or they may provide some protection against over rotation of the joint whilst the muscles build up their strength again after enforced immobilisation.

EITHER WAY, YOU SHOULD DO WHAT YOUR DOCTOR RECOMMENDS.

 
In my case I was advised against using one, simply because my doctor told me that I would become dependant upon it and see it as a crutch. He felt that once you start using these braces you never feel safe without them!

The problem for me was that the scare stories that I was given by a Pakistani doctor, during a check up at the hospital, made me reluctant to even consider squash or badminton again (both of which I played regularly).

He told me that I had a 95% chance of reoccurrence if I tried to engage in theses sports – even once my shoulder was back to full strength. (And dislocations are incredibly painful and something that, once experienced, you want to avoid at all costs.)

I now think that using a shoulder brace may have had some benefit for me if worn “only” to participate in these sports and I regret not having tried one out.

If you want to see what some of these products look like, you will see some examples here, http://www.physioroom.com/catalog/Shoulder_Supports/2042.html and http://shop.bupa.co.uk/general_supports/universal_shoulder_support-c56919p56930.html , but do consult with a doctors or orthopedic specialist and get their professional opinion first.

One of the big arguments in favour of these products is that they are used by professional sportsmen and women and, in the UK, rugby players often use them after an incident, or to protect against a shoulder injury during a match.

Memory foam applications

Moving on from some general information about memory foam, here are a couple of popular applications for this unusual product.

Bedding

The most frequent application of memory foam is in bedding and primarily mattress and pillow products. Both of these items are ideal applications for memory foam as they offer what are often described as orthopedic properties of support to the person using them.

Their big advantage is the ability of the viso elastic material to support the person sleeping (or resting there head) in a balanced way that avoids excessive pressure or stress. Conventional bedding materials have a tendency to leave key skeletal parts of the body bearing most of the body’s weight, e.g. the shoulders and hips, and this in turn can result in aches and pains. Memory foam can help to avoid this.

Shoes

 
Another increasingly popular application of memory foam is in the inner soles of orthopedic and diabetic shoes. Here again, the visco elastic memory foam allows a constantly variable level of support to be provided by a material that avoids pressure points that could result in sores or foot injuries.

This has the benefit of potentially reducing the likelihood of calluses, hammer toe problems and many other foot and toe difficulties. In the case of diabetic shoes this can be a major advantage. But it will ease the comfort and aid the support level of any shoe, orthopedic or otherwise.

Picture panel loud speakers

This is a novel, but potentially “audio” and “home cinema” revolutionising product that I saw prototyped on TV several years ago.

The concept is a simple one

Instead of having large and bulky loud speakers sat on stands and taking up room, you have flat panel speakers that can be disguised to look like pictures. paintings, or flat un-obstructive panels on a wall.

The speakers are only a couple of inches wide, but can have an expansive frontal area.

The speakers work by using ELAC NXT exciters (see http://www.1388.com/articles/elac-panel-eng/index.html) that oscillate at high frequencies to produce sound.

Sound Quality

How good the sound quality is, I do not know, and it seems hard to believe that the audio quality could equal serious hi-fi products that require large boxes and powerful drivers.

Even so, this is a technology that has the potential to shape and change the speaker systems that we use and, with the options to buy them inclusive of artwork, they look set to have a broader appeal.

Current speaker sizes seem to range from just under a half a metre square, to approaching a metre square.

At this moment in time the marketing of these products seems fixed on their dual functionality as art and audio equipment.

Visco elastic memory foam

I have mentioned Visco elastic memory foam in a couple of posts so far. This material is both popular and scientifically supported when it comes to a number of orthopedic product applications, so I will expand on it here.

Memory foam came about as a result of the NASA space program and has since found its way into a number of products.

The obvious examples are bedding items like mattresses and pillows, but memory foam can also make an appearance as an insole material in orthopedic shoes and its applications are increasing all the time.

What memory foam does

For anyone who has never seen memory foam, it has too unusual characteristics that are linked together.

The first is that it moulds itself to the shape of any object that applies pressure to it - and it does so with an absolute minimum of displacement to the zones adjacent to the body causing the pressure.

As an example, this means that if you place your hand on a piece of memory foam and apply a force, and then remove your hand, you will see an imprint of your hand in the foam.

This gives memory foam a unique ability to conform to the shape of objects resting on it, but without causing a ripple effect or even a distortion of the foam a few inches to the side of the resting body.

The second characteristic of the foam is the “memory quality” that sees the foam return to its original shape a few seconds after the weight is removed. It is as if the foam creates a temporary imprint of anything placed upon it, but an imprint that disappears "before your eyes" once the item is removed.

In a future post I will touch on the orthopedic benefits of this “moulding property” of visco elastic memory foam. In the meantime, this http://www.here-be-dreams.com/bedroom/memory-foam.html link will tell you a little it more.

Orthopedic pillows

Whenever you see an orthopedic product with an apparently high price tag there is usually a reason for it. Very frequently these products will have something to do with back or spine support - and this may be more important than you think.

Most orthopedic complaints originate from the back and 8 out of 10 people will suffer from a back problem at some time.
Given this worrying statistic, investing in certain orthopedic versions of specific products may enable you to avoid being in that 80% “problem” bracket and keep you “back problem” free.

Pillows

 
One example of a good, and not too expensive, product that can benefit from orthopedic inspired design is the common pillow (the one used in a bed).

A good pillow should cradle your head, take the pressure away from the top of the spine, and be comfortable.

If you wake up with a stiff neck or twinges in your neck or shoulders, it may be your pillow that is to blame.

Traditionally duck and goose feather and down pillows were the popular choice followed by compressible foams, but you can now choose from some more advanced materials.

Memory foam pillows

 
Memory foam, also called visco elastic foam, is a complex manmade material that offers what many believe to be a superior level of orthopedic support to normal pillows.

These pillows adjust and shape themselves to the head and neck profile of the person resting on them. They also have a property that causes them to return to their original shape when not in use.

The big advantage of a memory foam pillow is the way in which it supports the head, neck and top of the spine. It does this in such a way that the spine is correctly aligned. This is not always the case with some other materials that may over compress, become lumpy, or lose their compressibility and load bearing resistance over time.

Memory foam pillows come in a standard pillow shape, or pre-profiled to the contour of the head and neck and prices are now quite low.

To find out more, take a look at this page:
 http://www.putnams.co.uk/neck_pillows_orthopedic_memory_pillow.htm

It will tell you more about these pillow products.

Also see this directory of blogs called,
Blog Directory

Orthopedic Bed Wedge

An orthopedic bed wedge is a "comfortable" foam wedge aimed at providing leg elevation when a body is in a lying down position.

Some of these wedges come with contoured thigh and calf supports for extra comfort. They are available in different elevations - usually starting at 150mm or 6 inches.

An orthopedic wedge can help the circulation in the legs and the “venous return” to the heart which in turn may help varicose veins and other circulation or venous problems.

These wedges also place lumbar spine under a mild degree of traction with can also be beneficial.
Orthopedic wedges may assist in the relief of acute back pain, or offer a relaxing posture after some kinds of surgery.

These foam wedges usually have a removable and washable cover for hygiene.

More info

Here is the url of a website offering these products: http://classic.backbenimble.com/new/pages/bedWedge/

Blog directory

This is a link which I have added for blog listings: Submit Blog Directory. It is worth taking a look at if you wish to submitt your blog to other blog resources and directories.

Advice about backs

This url: http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/back_pain/ is a page on the BBC website that offers some background and advice relating to back pain. You may find it useful.

It looks at causes and effects and prevention, and links to a number of categorised pages that deal with medical causes, how the back works, exercise, posture etc.

It offers a good basic overview of the back, back problems, the back and orthopedics, and how to manage and deal with back pain and problems.

It is worth taking a look at if you have any physical difficulties that you think may originate from your back or lumbar region.

Memory foam mattresses

Following on from the general guidance about mattresses, here is a bit more detail about memory foam mattresses.

A visco elastic memory foam mattress uses a material that was discovered and developed during work on the NASA space program. This material has a number of unique properties that make it an ideal bedding material and it confers excellent supporting characteristics to the complete bed unit.

Visco elastic memory foam has a different way of adapting to the weight of the person laying on it to other mattress materials. The immediate areas of the mattress that are in contact with the body compress and depress to accommodate the shape of the body, but the rest of the memory foam remain unaffected. In other words, the memory foam has a very limited localised reaction to weight meaning that the mattress compresses under the weight of the person laying on it, but not in the areas around them.

The second feature of visco elastic memory foam is the way that its unusual compressibility features allow it to balance out the manner in which the mattress supports the sleeping body. The memory foam mattress manages to avoid the build up of “mattress pressure resistance” on the heavier parts of the human body like the hips and shoulders, thereby spreading the body’s weight in an even and comfortable way.

Summary

 
The combination of these two factors makes memory foam pleasant and easy to sleep on and orthopedically supportive of the body. Critically, memory foam is able to allow the back, and specifically the spine, to maintain the curved profile that it has when a person is in a standing position. This is healthy and good for the body as a whole.

Latex foam has similar properties to memory foam, but even the best and most advanced pocket sprung mattress systems fail to duplicate these body shaping property.

Sleeping on the right mattress

Finding the right mattress to suit your body and sleeping habits is essential to back health and also to getting a relaxing and uninterrupted night of sleep.

Until quite recently the general consensus of opinion on mattress support was that a mattress should be firm or even hard. This view held for many years and most still have the opinion that an overly soft mattress is not good for the health of the back, muscles or other parts of the skeletal structure.

What a mattress is supposed to do has however been open to much debate over recent years and the very firm mattress has now become less favoured. Orthopedically the "perfect" mattress should support the back in its natural figure S shape and a firm or hard mattress is no better at doing this than a soft one. In fact it may be less suitable!

New mattress materials

The last 20 years have seen a new material called visco elastic memory foam introduced into the world of mattresses and this material is thought by many to have superior orthopedic support qualities to conventional mattresses.

Visco elastic memory foam compresses and shapes itself around the person sleeping on it and its sensitivity to weight means that it curves and profiles around the natural shape of the body and not the other way around.

Because of this, memory foam beds are perceived to have very good orthopedic properties and they rest the back and spine in its natural shape. This also holds true for the other parts of the body and the material has the ability to constantly adapt to whoever is sleeping on it in whatever position.

Another similar and comparatively new material to the world of mattresses is Latex foam. This pliable material can also shape itself around whoever is sleeping on it and it provides the same kind of contouring support as memory foam.

In summary, what both of these mattress material have is the ability to shape themselves around the person sleeping on them rather than forcing the body to adapt to the flat surface of the mattress. This means that they can keep the important muscles, organs and joints of the body in the most natural and rested positions to ensure the best kind of sleep.

Selecting a mattress

Here is some good info taken from an article at this url: http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article1432.html It gives details of the importance of sleep and some tips on mattress selection. It is well worth reading. (See the actual article for full details.

Sleep is essential for everyone. A lack of sleep can contribute to failing health and increased pain.
The average person spends approximately one third of their life in bed.
Yet when it comes to where we sleep, we often do not consider how our mattress can affect our backs.

No other piece of furniture in the house is used as often or affects your overall health more than your bed. The spine benefits greatly from sleep. It works hard all day supporting the body and requires a period of rest to maintain this activity. An “inadequate” sleep surface can of course make this impossible.

The right surface

What you sleep on makes a big difference in the quality of sleep you get every night. A mattress without enough support for your spine can lead to muscle fatigue and a poor night's sleep. A good mattress maintains the same natural spinal alignment you have when standing. When your body is allowed to rest in its natural position, muscles are relaxed and sleep is more refreshing. Buying a mattress – selecting features

When buying a new mattress keep the following points in mind: There are different types of mattresses including innerspring, foam (memory and Latex), flotation (water beds), and air mattresses. While innerspring mattresses may offer more variety in terms of firmness and support, many people find the other types of mattresses just as comfortable.

The best type of mattress is the one that offers you the most support and is the most comfortable for you.

The foundation of a bed, often called a box spring, is very important. The box spring absorbs stress and weight for the mattress. The correct foundation can extend the life of the mattress. You should buy a box spring that goes with your style of mattress.

Despite what you may hear, a firmer mattress may not be better than a soft one. A mattress that is too firm does not support the body evenly, tending only to support the body's heaviest parts. A mattress that is too soft sags and prevents the spine from maintaining proper alignment. Neither situation allows your muscles to rest, as they must work throughout the night to find a comfortable position and maintain correct posture.

When shopping always test a mattress . Lie down on the mattress positioned how you usually sleep and stay there for several minutes. Try to behave as you would when in your own bed. If you sleep with a partner, try the mattress together to make sure there is enough space for both sleepers to move around. Make sure that the mattress feels supportive of the back, hips and shoulders.

Getting to sleep at night

One of the subjects that I will be covering will be sleep and the benefits of orthopedic beds and mattresses.

Getting a good night’s sleep is critical to physical and mental health and having a good quality supportive bed is one component necessary for this to be achieved.

The other important factor is of course preparing yourself for sleep and this may not be quite as simple a task as many might think. To do it properly requires planning, routine and a winding down period.

Most people go to bed at variable times, they sometimes try to sleep immediately after completing a mentally or physically taxing task, and then have trouble falling asleep.

For most people sleep is not an instant process when the head touches the pillow. Instead it requires the body and mind to gradually lower the levels of activity and for a vacant mental state of mind to occur.

If you have a lot on your mind, or if you have just finished a complex mental task, then getting to sleep quickly may be a problem.

Think of the body and mind like a car. If you take it out and drive around the car will get to a working temperature and it will take time for the oil and mechanical parts to cool off again. The human physiology is similar. If you do something active (mentally or physically) you need a cooling-off period afterwards to get the body back to a more rest full state.

For some good advice on all aspects of sleeping, see the http://www.sleepcouncil.com/ website. You will find tips about sleeping, beds and mattresses. It is a good independent source of information.

Orthopedic products - blog aims

This blog will try to offer information, suggestions and “very general” advice about a whole range of orthopedic (or orthopaedic) related products. All of these products will be aimed at improving or easing the quality of some aspect of human life.

E.g they may ease mobility, help comfortable sleep or lessen pain or discomfort during an activity.

These products will range from sleeping furniture items like orthopedic beds and mattresses, to daytime furniture products like chairs They will also extend to other products like orthopedic shoes and foot insoles.

Numerous links will be provided to websites and other reference sources that provide useful information about these products and the benefits that they can offer.

The overall aim of the blog will be to offer a “general orthopaedic product reference source” enabling good information to be found and referred to from one website (blog).

As from 9th July 2012 most of the links on this blog have been removed. The links were originally added to offer direct links to specific resources particular to the article in question. These links have since been removed due to concerns that they may have been adversely affecting the websites in question. However, finding good information on all of the subjects covered is not difficult if you search online.